12 - Barriers and Facilitators to Participation in Universal Preschool in Colorado

Publication Number: 4011.12

Rusha Lev, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Golden, CO, United States; Nancy Wittmer, Denver Health, Denver, CO, United States

Background: High-quality early learning is vital to children's development and long-term success. Colorado's Universal Preschool Program (UPK), launched by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) in 2022, aims to expand preschool access for all four-year-olds. In its first year (2023-24), about 38,000 children enrolled statewide (~60% of eligible four-year-olds). Some early reports raised concerns about equitable access. In an urban FQHC, we observed that many low-income and non-English-speaking families were unaware of UPK or struggled with enrollment

Objective: To identify barriers and facilitators to UPK participation among low-income families in the Denver metro area and explore strategies to improve equitable access through partnerships and outreach.

Design/Methods: Aggregated, de-identified UPK enrollment data from four Denver metro counties were obtained from CDEC. Four 90-minute focus groups, in English and in Spanish, were conducted with parents of UPK-eligible children in 2023-24 or 2024-25. Participants were recruited through community organizations (MotherWise Colorado and Mile High Early Learning). Sessions were recorded, transcribed, translated when needed, and analyzed thematically using ATLAS.ti (v2025). The study was approved by the Colorado Multiple Institutional Review Board; all participants provided consent and were compensated.

Results: Across four counties, an average of 18,612 children participated in UPK during the first two years. Most were White (52.8%), non-Hispanic (50.0%), low income (53.7%), and English-speaking (76.7%) (Table 1). Forty parents participated in focus groups; 98% female, 65% Hispanic/Latino, 43% Spanish-speaking (Table 2). Four themes emerged: (1) limited awareness of UPK, (2) challenges with the online application, (3) school matching difficulties, and (4) variable post-enrollment experiences. Barriers included language access, digital literacy, and lack of individualized support. Facilitators included assistance from schools, early learning programs, community organizations, and trusted networks. Families valued personal guidance and recommended outreach through pediatric clinics, WIC offices, and community sites.

Conclusion(s): Low-income and linguistically diverse families faced barriers to UPK participation, especially limited awareness and difficulty applying. Culturally and linguistically tailored navigation support through trusted community and healthcare partners may improve access. Collaboration among pediatric practices, early childhood organizations, and CDEC could promote equitable participation and ensure all children benefit from universal preschool.

Table 1
Demographic characteristics by year for UPK 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 in Denver, Adams, Arapahoe and Jefferson Counties

Table 2
Focus Group Participant Demographics